They’re debating the Republican alternative to the stimulus package. Republicans bill their version as costing half as much and creating twice as many jobs. It’s anyone’s guess how many jobs either version would create, but the Republicans base their claim a method of calculation once used by economist Christina Romer, Obama’s Chairwoman of the Council of Economic Advisors.

Complaints about the Democratic bill abound. Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R., Wisc.) comments a few minutes ago were the most pointed. My quick transcription: ”The most favorable way to look at this package is that 12 percent of this package goes for creating or keeping jobs. All the rest of it is spending–just plain old spending–most of which takes place two or three years from now.”